In addition to the weather, a single lane work zone near Osceola, Arkansas presents the possibility for I-55 to be closed if an incident were to occur.

Suggested alternate routes are available online at MoDot.org.

COURSE ON DISASTER RECOVERY COMING TO POPLAR BLUFF

The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium is bringing a course to Poplar Bluff to help emergency responders be prepared for a disaster.

The free U.S. Department of Homeland Security certified course, Disaster Recovery in Rural Communities, will be offered from 8 am to 5 pm on April 16th at the Crisp Technology Center.

This eight-hour instructor-led course is specifically designed for public officials, community leaders, and private-sector representatives in rural communities who play key roles in the disaster recovery process.

Registration for the course is required and the deadline to register is April 2nd. To register call 573-526-9016.

MISSOURI UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UNCHANGED

Missouri payrolls grew in January while the state's unemployment remained unchanged at 6 percent.

The state Department of Economic Development said Tuesday that Missouri employers added a net of 1,100 jobs in the first month of 2014.

The largest gain was in the leisure and hospitality sector, which added 5,100 jobs in January. The manufacturing sector grew by 2,500 positions, while the professional and business services industry grew by 2,200 jobs.

The largest losses were 6,100 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector and 3,300 in construction.

Missouri's civilian labor force was just over 3 million in January, an increase of about 1,800 from December. The labor force includes people with jobs and those who are on unemployment but looking for work.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDERING NEW PRIMARY DATE FOR MISSOURI

A Missouri House panel is considering whether to move the state's primary elections to June.

Missouri now holds party primaries for Congress, the Legislature and statewide offices in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. A House bill would move the primaries to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in June.

The House Elections Committee scheduled a hearing on the proposal Tuesday and planned to vote on it immediately.

Earlier primaries would give the winners more time to compete for November's general election. They could also cause lawmakers to campaign more aggressively during the legislative session, which runs through mid-May.